ANGRY shop owners have come up with a plan to protect their premises from vandals after clashing with the council over security shutters.

Bellissima on Hightown was subjected to repeated attacks by vandals who smashed windows and wrecked lingerie displays before owners Beverley Archer and Julie Hewitt paid £3,000 to install metal shutters.

The pair were ordered to take down their shutters by the end of this month or face tough action from Congleton Borough enforcement officers who say they are unsightly and not in keeping with the town centre.

Mrs Archer said: 'I haven't met anyone who doesn't support the shutters. The council said they made the area look like Beirut, but they actually look quite nice.

'In the last week there have been three shops in the town centre which have had their windows broken. It's an ongoing problem that hasn't gone away.'

Now the business partners say their only hope rests with a new application they have made for a set of lattice style shutters and wrought iron gates across the doorway.

They look like they may finally win the approval of council planning officials who are asking councillors to give the go-ahead at a planning committee on Tuesday.

Mrs Archer added: 'We're angry because the shutters cost £3,000 and now we have to spend another £3,000. We just can't understand what all the fuss has been about.'

Congleton Borough Council regulatory services head Geoff Allen said: 'Another application for shutters has been received.

'The main difference is they don't cover the shop's original features unlike the others. Hopefully this will be a happy ending for all sides.'